The 2012 End of the World View attempts to reconcile two conflicting beliefs: Lorenzo DiTommaso
Lorenzo DiTommaso, professor of religion at Concordia University in Montreal, says that the worldview of expecting an end of the world, whether on December 21, 2012, or at some other time, is a very persistent and powerful way of understanding the world.
He says that when people feel as if the world is out of control and beyond their comprehension, a belief in the end of the world returns order to the world.
“Problems have become so big, with no solutions in sight, that we no longer see ourselves able as human beings to solve these problems,” DiTommaso said. “From a biblical point of view, God is going to solve them. From other points of view, there has to be some sort of catastrophe.”
The apocalyptic worldview springs from a desire to reconcile two conflicting beliefs.
“The first is that there is something dreadfully wrong with the world of human existence today,” he said. “On the other hand, there is a sense that there is a higher good or some purpose for existence, a hope for a better future.”
Viewing the world as a flawed place headed toward some sort of cosmic correction reconciles these two beliefs, DiTommaso said.
